BINGHAMTON (WBNG) – Parlor City Cards & Collectibles is thriving amid the pandemic, thanks to an increase in popularity in sports trading cards.

Andrew Strong has owned Parlor City Cards and Collectibles for three years. He said over the last few months, he has seen the biggest uptick in cards sales in over 30 years.

“A lot of people collected back in the hay day, back in the late 80’s and early 90’s and they’ve started to get back into it and the market’s just exploded,” said Strong.

Strong said one reason for the uptick could be due to boredom and more time of people’s hands.

Ultimately, the biggest reason for the rise in interest is because of the payday you could bring home.

“This used to be a box that ran about $200, it now runs for $2,000 because there is a chance there could be a high-end Patrick Mahomes rookie in there and if you pull the right one it could be worth twenty grand,” said Strong.

This factor alone has created a demand that even Strong is having trouble keeping up with.

“The biggest problem is keeping new product in the shop,” said Strong. “As the product comes out from the manufacturers we’re running out of it within a week.”

Strong’s lifelong hobby has turned into a career, and he’s excited to see it continue to grow.

“I’ve been doing this since 1989, I started this with my dad when I was a kid, I’ve been in it ever since and just to see the hobby get to where it is right now is unbelievable,” said Strong.

Parlor City Cards and Collectibles is located on 37 Court Street, in Binghamton.